Martina is taking up the position of MEP from outgoing MEP
Bairbre de Brún.

Councillor McLaughlin was elected to Derry City Council in
2001 and has served the Northland Ward since then.

A community activist, she is a BA honours graduate in
Sociology, History and Politics from NUI Galway.

The incoming MLA is also spokesperson for tourism, a member
of the local District Policing Partnership and spokesperson on the North-West
Region Cross Border Group.

After her unanimous endorsement on Thursday night, Maeve McLaughlin said she is
looking forward to representing Derry in the Assembly.

“I believe the key issues we need to deliver on are maximising
the potential of our tourism product, the 2013 City of Culture, and the Regeneration
Plan for Derry.

"The decision of the Executive to commit £12.6million offers
assurances that the city can organise events for City of Culture 2013 with financial
confidence.

"We have a golden opportunity for a legacy for Derry with arts,
culture and tourist infrastructure ensuring our city becomes a major tourist destination.”

She added that political leaders needs to ensure that the new
EU Funding Unit being set up by Derry City Council (which she campaigned for) delivers.

"We must also maximise every opportunity to get funding streams
into our city and district. With Martina taking up her new role as MEP, I have no
doubt that the voice of Derry and Ireland will be heard loudly in Europe.”